With global supply chains rocked by the war in Ukraine, attention is turning to how to manage the ongoing situation and prepare for the winter ahead.
Fodder stocks should be carefully considered, and time is of the essence given that this is the critical period for nutrient application as the window for achieving the highest grass quality potential is between now and July. If fertiliser is not spread soon, a fodder crisis for next winter could be unavoidable.
Maximising nutrient use efficiency is more important than ever given the stark rise in input costs and the key to achieving it is to ensure soil pH is maintained at the correct level, typically 6-6.5 pH for mineral soils, as sub-optimal soils can limit both yields and quality. Thankfully, reports from last year suggest that farmers were paying closer attention to their pH and investing in lime which will stand them in good stead for the season ahead. Routine soil testing and analysis is a habit worth forming and should be continued in the Autumn with appropriate action taken thereafter.
Manures of all descriptions will be valued more highly this year and whilst it is important to utilise the nutrients available on farm in the first instance, it is essential that the crop requirements are fully met to build a bountiful, high quality fodder bank to buffer the winter months ahead. The importance of growing and managing high-quality grass should not be underestimated, instead it should be the focus, as a means of maximising production and offsetting the cost of farm inputs. As such, the temptation to cut back on fertiliser, thereby undersupplying certain nutrients, could be a false economy.
Fertiliser availability has been widely debated given the Russian invasion of Ukraine and escalating energy markets. Sanctions against Russian vessels and commodities have further exacerbated the sourcing challenge and it is imperative that swift action is taken where Russian interests have been divested to allow trade to flow. Clarity from government in this respect would provide companies with much needed reassurance to resume trade.
Whilst there is no doubt that this is not a normal year and that product choice may be more constrained than previously, alternative sources of fertiliser are available, albeit with increased competition. The time lag for shipping must also be factored in and it is therefore important that supply requirements are known in advance so that appropriate preparations can be made. Procuring product remains very challenging and international prices are still holding firm so while farmers may have been hoping fertiliser prices would ease in the short term, this seems unlikely.
